Congratulations to Jemima McCullum for her work in sealing up another development deal between the YMCA and Kitsap County for a 70,000+ square foot facility to be located along Silverdale Way. Modeled after the successful Gig Harbor YMCA, this building promises to be a welcome addition to the residents of Kitsap County. Set to open its doors by fall 2011, the YMCA will serve an estimated 15,000 members. The YMCA will feature an aquatics center, wellness centers, exercise and multipurpose rooms, a gym, a community meeting center, a youth drop-in zone, a nursery, and much more. Part of the deal included Kitsap County agreeing to contribute $1 million from real estate excise taxes, as well as use of the land — an in-kind contribution of approximately $2.5 million. The parties are cooperatively working together to receive other sources of funding, including a $1,000,000 grant from the Department of Ecology, and a $800,000 community trade and economic development grant. The YMCA project came to fruition at a time when the County was already experiencing cut-backs elsewhere and the bankrtupcy of the Kitsap County Housing Authority.